Smarter decisions for real-world problems start with better data. Thanks to European efforts to open up access to the vast amounts of satellite data collected every day, Earth observation can provide just that.
Imagine using space technology not only to explore the stars, but also to prevent disease outbreaks or predict and monitor natural disasters such as floods.
That’s exactly what European researchers are doing with Earth Observation (EO): turning satellite data into real-world solutions that protect people and the planet.
mosquito monitor
Since 2020, a pioneering service called the Mosquito-Borne Disease Early Warning System (EYWA) has been tracking mosquito breeding sites using high-resolution satellite imagery. why? Because advanced information can save lives as climate change causes mosquito-borne diseases to spread.
This is a great example of how extraterrestrial planet data can be used, said Dr Haris Kontos, research director at the Institute of Astronomy, Astrophysics, Space Applications and Remote Sensing at the National Observatory of Athens in Greece.
“These diseases have always been a big problem given that they affect millions of people worldwide, but over the past decade these diseases have become increasingly prevalent in Europe and even in the Nordic countries,” said EYWA Coordinator Kontos.
EYWA’s data-driven system allows local authorities to act quickly to target mosquito breeding grounds before they explode. result? In some areas, mosquito numbers have been cut in half. Currently, EYWA protects around 30 million people, from farmers in Greece to residents of Cameroon.
Behind this success is a multidisciplinary global team led by the National Observatory of Athens, working with partners in EO, health, climate modeling and data analysis.
Earth observation data that solves everyday problems
EYWA is just one successful example of a broader movement supporting the use of EO data for practical benefit.
The European Group on Earth Observations (EuroGEO) is Europe’s contribution to the global GEO Alliance, bringing together governments, researchers and businesses to leverage satellite data in practical ways for a variety of applications, including disaster response, agriculture, health and climate resilience.
For example, EuroGEO’s rapid flood monitoring services helped communities in Central Europe cope with the devastating floods of 2024. And there will be more to come. The value of the EO data market is expected to nearly triple by 2030, but much of this valuable data remains underutilized.
From pilot to permanent solution
EYWA participated as one of the case studies in the EU-funded e-shape project, which tested 37 different applications within and outside Europe. These pilots showed what’s possible when scientists and end users design tools together, from tracking air pollution to predicting water conditions for divers.
However, scaling up is a challenge. “Sustainability depends on securing funding and meeting real needs,” Kontos said. “That will attract further investment, including from the private sector.”
EYWA has already attracted support from the European Union, the Greek Foundation for Research and Innovation, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and the Epidemic Early Warning Horizon Award. But the goal is to make these services permanent.
“EO users want what they do to be sustainable,” says Kontoes.
The power of co-design
EuroGEO promotes “co-design”, where tools are created in collaboration with the users who will actually use the tools.
“The key is to dialogue, engage and build partnerships with users,” said Professor Thierry Lanchin, director of the Center for Observations, Impacts and Energy at Paris PSL, who led the e-shape initiative.
This approach forms the next stage of EuroGEO, including the creation of a strong and permanent governance structure under the EuroGEO Secretariat (EuroGEOSec). Unlike previous actions, this is not about starting a new pilot. It’s about connecting what we already have, making it sustainable, and breaking down silos between data, programs, and people.
This move towards greater integration and collaboration is encapsulated in the #OneEuroGEO approach and reflects Europe’s ambition to create a truly connected EO ecosystem.
It works through the EuroGEO Action Group, a team of experts working on issues in areas such as disaster resilience, health, agriculture and energy. In addition to sharing data, these groups combine tools, models, and expertise, deploy cloud infrastructure, provide open access to IoT networks, and even provide training to local users.
Putting data to work for people
The main objective is to bridge the gap between satellite data collectors and the people who need it. The EuroGEO team hopes this will make it easier for local and national authorities to use satellite insights for disease control, climate change prevention, and more.
Currently, more than 100 terabytes of EO data are flowing in each day from programs such as Copernicus and Destination Earth. However, local governments and front-line workers are often unable to access or use it. EuroGEOSec aims to rectify this issue and allow Portuguese health authorities to use the same satellite insights as the national agency in Brussels.
“Today there is fragmentation in the EU situation,” Lanchin said. “We are working on reducing that, but it requires a lot of coordination.”
In 2025, EuroGEOSec will provide a roadmap to make it easier for ministries and local authorities, as well as individual citizens, to access and claim EO data.
“We’re going to see an explosion of extraterrestrial planet data over the next few years,” Lanchin said. “The question now is how do we make sure that it can be used in as many areas as possible?”
From space-based mosquito repellents to real-time flood warnings, the answer is clear. What is captured in orbit can help change life on Earth for the better.
The research for this article was funded by the EU’s Horizon program. The views of the interviewees do not necessarily reflect the views of the European Commission.
This article was originally published in Horizon, EU Research and Innovation Magazine.
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